Coach Wilson honored for legendary 50 years of service

J. PATRICK RICE / SPECIAL TO TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Bill Wilson Jr. former head football and track coach is surrounded by his family and team as they recognize him for his many years of service before he officially retires from coaching at the end of the season. Coach Wilson led his team and the fans in one of his favorite songs after he received a plaque Athletic Director Michael Stutzke and signed football. He is surrounded by (L-R) his wife Katherine; daughter Yolanda; son Billy; and granddaughter at the Shark Stadium on Friday November 09, 2012.
J. PATRICK RICE / SPECIAL TO TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Bill Wilson Jr. former head football and track coach is surrounded by his family and team as they recognize him for his many years of service before he officially retires from coaching at the end of the season. Coach Wilson led his team and the fans in one of his favorite songs after he received a plaque Athletic Director Michael Stutzke and signed football. He is surrounded by (L-R) his wife Katherine; daughter Yolanda; son Billy; and granddaughter at the Shark Stadium on Friday November 09, 2012.

SEBASTIAN — Legendary track and football coach Bill Wilson fought back tears while being honored at Sebastian River High School's halftime for 50 years of coaching.

Wilson, who will retire after the season, was surrounded by family, friends, former athletes and Sebastian River's football players and coaches at midfield during the school's regular season football finale against East Ridge on Friday night.

Athletic director Michael Stutzke had prerecorded a list of Wilson's many accomplishments and presented him with a plaque. Wilson spoke briefly, thanking the community for embracing him and allowing him to coach their students.

He also led the football team in a song.

"It's a little overwhelming, but I enjoyed it," Wilson, 73, said. "Sometimes, God puts you on earth for specific things and this is one of the things he put me on earth for."

Wilson began his coaching career at Carter Parramore High School in Quincy in 1962. He was Vero Beach's first head track coach after the school integrated with Gifford High School in 1969 and was a longtime football assistant. Wilson guided Vero Beach to two state track championships and had the track at the school named after him.

"I might be on the field, but I didn't do anything, it was the kids," said Wilson, who is a member of four halls of fame. "The kids did everything. ... All I did was get them there, and they did everything they were supposed to do. All of these honors are because of them. In this community, people have been gracious toward me in the fact that they let me be a part of their kids' lives."

Wilson retired from Vero Beach in 1997, but came to Sebastian River and has served as a track and football coach. Both Stutzke and Sebastian River football coach Randy Bethel were coached by Wilson at Vero Beach.

"Outside of God and my father, he's probably the most important man in my life," Bethel said. "My father passed away 15 years ago and he stepped right in and has done an outstanding job trying to raise me — I'm hard-headed. ... We love him and we're going to miss him."